Mallie Leonard

Mallie Mae Leonard, 86, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

She was born Dec. 15, 1916, at Keytesville, Mo., daughter of Grover and Sarah Carter Shoemaker. She and Gerald Leonard were married July 27, 1936, in Salisbury, Mo. He died in 1979.

Leonard was a teacher more than 30 years with Hancock County Schools in Illinois. She was then a substitute teacher in Izard County, Ark., and was a past officer of the Extension Homemakers Club in Franklin, Ark.

She was a former member of Ferris Christian Church in Ferris, Ill., and had been a Sunday School teacher and member of the choir. After moving to Cape Girardeau she became a member of Red Star Baptist Church and was active in various church organizations.

Survivors include a son, Gerald "Ed" Leonard of Zion, Ark.; three daughters, Mary Starr of Branson, Mo., Freda Hogan of Cape Girardeau, Karen Mathena of Springville, Iowa; three brothers, Ray Shoemaker of Salisbury, Donald Shoemaker of Kansas City, Mo., William Shoemaker of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; four sisters, Francis Adams of Marshall, Mo., Lorene Stephens of Garland, Texas, Iona Whiting of Burlington, Iowa, Roberta Williams of Las Vegas, Nev.; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and four great-stepgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two sisters.

Friends may call at Howard Funeral Home in Melbourne, Ark., from 10 a.m. to noon Friday.

The funeral will be at noon Friday at the funeral home, with Larry Strope officiating. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Cemetery in Franklin.

Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge of local arrangements.